Guidance A Quality Assurance Tool for Vocational Education and Training

Project ID: 2022-1-ES01-KA210-VET-000084151
Leading Organisation: HIPERACTIVITY
Participating Organisations:
  • CERSEO - Italy
  • KIDS & CO. - Germany​

CONTEXT

This project focuses on the improvement of vocational education and training (VET) by developing comprehensive advice and guidance programs. The project aims to enhance the cooperation between different sectors within the vocational education and training field, providing improved educational paths for VET students. This project is anticipated to start on the 02/10/2022 and is expected to last for 18 months, with an end date set for 02/04/2024.

LEADING ORGANISATIONS

The leading organization of this project is Hiperactivity, coordinating the efforts of all participating organizations. Hiperactivity will be responsible for the effective organizational and financial management of the project, facilitating relations between the partners, controlling the budget and project management, organizing transnational meetings and staff travel, implementing corrective actions in case of risks, establishing official communications with the National Agency, and carrying out financial and administrative management with partners.

Participating Organisations

CERSEO - KIDS & CO, as a participating organization, will be responsible for quality monitoring and evaluation activities. They are tasked with preparing surveys and templates to collect the necessary information for the final report, ensuring the quality control system of the project, and supervising the execution of the activities within the deadlines.
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​KIDS & CO. will lead the promotion and sustainability component of the project, focusing on communication and dissemination through social media and online channels.
They will keep the project website up-to-date, organize community engagement activities, and establish a plan for the project's long-term sustainability after the funding period.

PROJECT OBJETIVES 

The project's primary goal is to develop complex and coherent advice and guidance programs in relation to the selection of professional educational paths by VET students. It also aims to improve cooperation between different sectors in the field of vocational education and training. The project targets various groups such as counselors, VET teachers and specialists, participating organizations, and learners.

ACTIVITIES & DETAILS

The project comprises of several activities that include Project Management and Implementation, Job Market Analysis and Elaboration of a Toolkit, Training for Counsellors, and Dissemination Events in Spain, Italy, and Germany. Each activity is allocated a specific grant amount for effective execution. All these activities must take place in the countries of the organizations participating in the project.
Dissemination Events
The results of the project were made known in various ways through the following channels and dissemination activities:
  • Internal presentations were made in the association to share the results of the project with members and interested parties, including detailed information on objectives, results and impacts.
  • Local events were organized to inform the community about the project and its results, allowing direct interaction and response to questions and concerns.
  • Social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube) and the project website were used to share updates and resources, reaching a wide audience and reporting on project progress.
  • Final dissemination events in each partner country presented the project results to professionals and stakeholders, allowing the exchange of experiences and lessons learned.​
The main target groups for the dissemination of the project results included vocational students, teachers, career counselors, educational authorities, local companies and other stakeholders in the field of training and employment. A combination of online and offline channels were used to ensure that project outcomes reached these groups effectively and achieved the maximum possible impact in the local community and beyond.
Project Results 
We are pleased to share with you the final results of the Orient Exchange Project. After months of research and collaboration, we have obtained valuable insights and achievements that will help improve the career orientation and employability of vocational training students in Spain, Italy and Germany.​
Main Results of the Project
  • Identification of in-demand Professional Profiles: We have identified the 10 most in-demand professional profiles in the three participating countries.
  • Analysis of Necessary Competencies: Each identified professional profile was analyzed to determine the necessary technical and soft competencies.
  • Development of Guidance Tools
  • Impact on Vocational Training: The results of the project have been implemented in several vocational training institutions, improving the quality of guidance and preparation of students for the labor market.
  • Dissemination Events and Workshops: We organize a series of events and workshops in the three countries, involving counselors, students and professionals in the sector. These events have been essential to disseminate the project's findings and train counselors in new methodologies.
Training for Counsellors - January '24
The ORIENT EXCHANGE project offers training and guidance to increase the competitiveness and skills development of teachers and educational service providers in the vocational education and training sector.
From January 15 to 19 '24, in Vercelli (Italy), a specialized training program was developed for 12 education and vocational training professionals, focused on improving their skills and knowledge regarding guidance.
Program:
  • Day 1: Presentation of the participants and the educational systems of the countries of origin, conceptual limitations, round table on the training activities and debate on the problems faced by the VET teacher.
  • Day 2: Theoretical presentation of the strategies used in the classroom by the VET teacher, practical application activities on modern teaching-learning-evaluation strategies for the VET teacher.
  • Day 3: Practical application activities - strategies for the development of materials/means necessary for the teaching activity of the FP teacher
  • Day 4: Simulation activities/role playing/case studies
  • Day 5: Practical applications and simulations, evaluation.
Transnational meeting 2 - January '24
The final meeting took place on January 15 and 16 '24, in Vercelli (Italy), marking the closure of the project. During this meeting the following points were addressed:
1. Final review and analysis of work plans.
2. Final evaluation of the project.
3. Recognition of the dedication and contributions to the project of all those involved.
4. Celebration of the achievements achieved throughout the project.
5. Discussion on the follow-up and closure strategy.
6. Collaboration and contributions for the preparation of the final report.
The meeting was attended by 3 members of each partner's execution team, a total of 9 people, who worked on the preparation of the final report.
Project management activities such as scheduling, budgeting, reporting, control, communication, risk management and administrative support were carried out during the meetings. Management aspects such as the operational work plan, project expectations, role and responsibilities of partners and key definitions of the concept of training events were discussed and agreed.
Job Market Analysis and Elaboration of a Toolkit - March/April '23
The project aims to improve students' access to the world of work through a comparative analysis of the labor market.
Three tools have been created to give schools a better understanding of business needs:
  • European professional profiles
  • Necessary Skills
  • Entrepreneurial spirit.
Furthermore, a toolkit for teachers and consultants has been created, divided into three areas:
  • Unveiling Students' Potential
  • Skills Assessment
  • Guided Interactive Tests.
The toolkit is designed to help students develop the skills required by the job market and successfully enter the world of work.
Transnational meeting 1 - February '23
The project includes 2 transnational meetings to ensure organized development and communication with partners.
During the meeting, the project activities were presented and the calendar and deadlines were discussed. The importance of constant communication and collaboration was highlighted. It was agreed to organize periodic meetings to monitor the progress of the activities.
First Meeting - November '22
The first online meeting with our partners Cerseo (Italy) and KIDS & CO (Germany) took place in November 2022. During this meeting, our main objective was to establish the first contact with the project partners, while offering a brief description of the project, its main objectives, and activities.
During the meeting, we exchange opinions, share work methods and strategies, and set dates for each activity. We are excited to meet face to face very soon in Torremolinos, Malaga. See you soon!
Project Approval - September '22
Excellent news from the Spanish National Agency! The "Strategic Partnership 2022-1-ES01-KA210-VET-000084151 Erasmus+ project "ORIENT EXCHANGE" has been approved. Hiperactivity will be the project coordinator, together with our partners from Germany and Italy.
Educational guidance is important in a world of constant change, helping individuals throughout their lives. The public and private sectors must integrate and create usable pathways between work, social, and youth policies to support social cohesion. The project aims to improve education quality and provide continuous professional development for VET teachers, career counselors, and school counselors through education and training.